I am neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'I am neither' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to express a lack of agreement or connection between two things. For example, you could say "I am neither a morning person nor a night person, I'm somewhere in between."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since I am neither, I don't.

The Economist

"The truth is I am neither".

The New Yorker

P.S.: I am neither old nor grouchy.

The New Yorker

"I am neither Lochte nor Phelps.

The New York Times - Sports

As you can tell, I am neither.

The Times

I am neither rightwing nor leftwing.

The Guardian

"I am neither powerful not corrupt.

The New York Times - Magazine

I am neither Gaelic nor Gallic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I am neither of those things.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am neither Indian, nor Bangladeshi," he quips.

The Economist

"I am neither a saint nor a victim," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am neither" to clearly and concisely express that you do not identify with two presented options or categories. It's effective for setting yourself apart or defining your position as distinct from two alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "I am neither" when more than two options are involved. "Neither" inherently refers to two items; for more than two, consider using "none of the above" or rephrasing to clarify the multiple exclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am neither" functions as a declarative statement expressing a negation of two identified attributes or categories. Examples from Ludwig AI show it used to define oneself in relation to distinct possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am neither" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express that you do not identify with two specific options or categories. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's prevalent across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. Remember to use it only when referring to precisely two choices and to consider alternative phrases like "I am not either" for stylistic variation. Using "I am neither" effectively clarifies your stance by what you are not, contributing to clear and concise communication. The most common mistake is using "I am neither" to refer to more than two options. It's crucial to stick to only two when using this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am not either

This alternative directly replaces "neither" with "not either" maintaining a very similar meaning and grammatical structure.

I'm neither this nor that

This phrase uses a demonstrative pronoun to express the sentiment.

I'm not one or the other

This alternative rephrases the sentence to explicitly deny belonging to either of two implied categories.

I'm not in either of those groups

This alternative is more specific, referring directly to groups.

I do not belong to either group

This phrase expresses the sentiment more formally, emphasizing the lack of membership in either group.

I don't fit into either category

This highlights the incompatibility of the speaker with both defined categories.

I'm outside of both classifications

This suggests that the speaker exists beyond the bounds of both categories.

I'm distinct from both

This version stresses the speaker's separation or distinction from both options.

I stand apart from both

This option uses more figurative language to express distance from both options.

I'm removed from both

This option uses the term removed to express distance from both options.

FAQs

How can I use "I am neither" in a sentence?

Use "I am neither" to indicate that you do not belong to or identify with two specific options. For instance, "I am neither a pessimist nor an optimist; I'm a realist".

What can I say instead of "I am neither"?

You can use alternatives like "I am not either", "I'm not one or the other", or "I do not belong to either group" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I am neither"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "I am neither" is used to deny an association with two specified things. Just ensure there are only two options being considered for the statement to be accurate.

Can "I am neither" be used with more than two options?

No, "neither" is exclusively for two options. If you're referring to more than two options, use "none of the above" or rephrase your sentence to accurately reflect the number of choices from which you are excluding yourself.